The traditional story is that the estate was named by Hayes' uncle Sardis Birchard, who first built it for his own residence.

He named it for the reflective pools of water that collected on the property after a rain shower.

The horse was buried at Spiegel Grove upon his death in 1879, with a grave marker reading Old Whitey A Hero of Nineteen Battles 1861–1865.

In 1880, after Rutherford B. Hayes had moved in, he expanded the house by the addition of 5 new rooms, and the massive staircase that led all the way up to the 4th floor.

For a fee, visitors can view the various rooms as well as furniture, books, and other items in the house.